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Kenya

Safari, the Swahili word for travel originated in Kenya and rightly so. This is the world's capital of game parks, hordes of wild animals and a variety of natural scenic beauties. Tourism forms Kenya's major income, and although it has been declining in recent years due to political instability and easier and cheaper access to other African countries with equal abundance of game, visitors are still treated to a warm welcome from the majority of people. There are more than 40 game parks to explore, and the annual migration of millions of antelope crossing the Mara River in search of greener pastures inside Kenya, is a sight not to be missed. The country has an immense collection of other riches including colourful tribes, deserted sandy beaches, coral reefs, snow-capped mountains and intimate islands.

Geography

Kenya is surrounded by numerous neighbours including Tanzania on its south, Uganda on the east, Sudan just touching the north-western border and Ethiopia on the north. Somalia covers the eastern border and the warm Indian Ocean washes onto white sandy beaches in the south-eastern part of the country. Kenya has a natural diversity that is hard to beat. It saddles the Equator and the low coastal plains rise to meet the central highlands that are bisected by the Great Rift Valley. The northern part close to Ethiopia consists of arid flat plains and shallow salt lakes and rises to meet the highlands. To the western side the country drops gently to meet Uganda and Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile. The country is dotted with lakes covered with flamingos and other aquatic birds, high mountains and extinct volcanoes.

Climate

Often associated with equatorial regions, the coastal area is tropical and hammered with monsoon winds. The low-lying northern region is very dry and hot, while the plateau area around Nairobi is more pleasant due to its altitude. The bigger part of Kenya experiences heavy rains from March to May and light rains from October to December. Most tourists visit the country during the dry and warm season of June through to September, ideal for outdoor activities.

Summary

Area size: 582 650 km2 (about 227 600 square miles)
Capital: Nairobi (Population - 2 million)
Currency: Kenyan Shilling U
Official Language: English and Swahili
Other Languages: Kikuyu and Luo
Time: GMT +3
Telephone Country Code: 254
Electricity: 230/240V 3-pin square, 2-pin round

Required clothing

Light- and medium-weight cottons and linens can be worn throughout most of the year. Neutral colours are best for safaris and it is advisable to take along a warm sweater for morning or evening game drives. Warm clothes are needed for the cooler mornings and evenings along the coast. Raingear is essential during the rainy season.

Health and Safety

In recent times Kenya has suffered a great deal of political unrest, and is it not advisable to form part of any demonstrations as government retribution can be severe and looting is sometimes part of demonstrations. The ethnic tensions can be spontaneous and unpredictable, but these mainly occur outside the main tourist areas. The parts of the country that should be visited with caution are the east coast, north of Mombasa (due to ethnic tensions), the area close to the Somalia border (armed bandits) and Nairobi (high street crime including violent pick-pocketing). Do not travel at night-time due to bad road conditions, stray animals and vehicles driving without lights.

Money Matters

1 Kenya Shilling is equal to 100 cents.

The major foreign currencies (travellers' cheques and cash) are accepted, but the best currencies are US Dollar, British Pound and French Francs. Credit cards are accepted in the major hotels and some tourist businesses. Under no circumstances should the black market be used for money exchange. The police will arrest you if even if they only suspect you of participating in illegal money exchange and con-artists will rob you.

Accommodation and Food

Accommodation in Kenya includes top international hotels, luxury tented resorts, lodges, hostels and camping. For additional information on hotel accommodation, contact the Hotel Keepers & Caterers in Nairobi (contact detail in the Useful Address category). Some hotel bills must be paid in foreign currency.
Food in Kenya is of a superb quality and includes fantastic game meat, seafood, tropical fruits, freshwater fish and other local delicacies. Restaurants are in abundance where Indian and Arab food is also available. Kenya produces its own tea, coffee and beer.

Social Behaviour

Kenya was a British colony and for this reason the influence is still strongly felt and Western habits prevail. Dress is normally informal on most occasions. Photographing people in Kenya is a sensitive issue. Many people, including the Masai makes a living from it, and should be asked permission. Do not photograph Muslim women.
Tipping is normally 10 Shilling except where it is included in the price.
Possession and trafficking of drugs is a serious crime in Kenya and jail sentences for these activities can be expected.

Useful Addresses

For information regarding tourism and hotels, the following organisations can be contacted.
Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife
PO Box 30027, Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 2 331030
Fax: +254 2 217604.

Kenya National Tourist Office
25 Brook's Mews, (Davies Street), Mayfair,
London W1Y 1LF,
England
Tel: +44 171 3553144
Fax: +44 171 4958656.

Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers & Caterers
PO Box 46406,
Nairobi.
Tel: +254 2 726642
Fax: +254 2 721505

Diplomatic missions are available throughout the world and the following list is just some of them

England

Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
45 Portland Place,
London, W1N 4AS
Tel: +44 171 6362371
Fax: +44 171 3236717

Canada

Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
415 Laurier Avenue, Ottawa,
Ontario K1N 6R4
Tel: +1 613 5631773
Fax: +1 613 2336599

USA

Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
2249 R Street NW, Washington,
DC 20008
Tel: +1 202 3876101
Fax: +1 202 4623829
Or
Consulate and Tourism office of the Republic of Kenya
424 Madison Avenue, Suite 1401, New York,
NY 10017
Tel: +1 212 4861300
Fax: +1 212 6880911.
E-mail: kenya2d@americaonline.com

Entry Requirements

A passport (valid 6 months beyond intended stay) and a visa are required for most nationalities as well as tickets and/or documents for return or onward travel. Visas should be obtained in advance, although airport visas are available (although delays might be expected for this service). Proof of yellow fever immunisation may be requested. Airport departure tax (US$20 in hard currency) is payable upon departure from Kenyan airports.

Attractions & Activities

Indulge yourself in many activities while visiting Kenya including horse-riding, polo, golf, fresh- and saltwater fishing (the huge Nile Perch is especially popular for trout) and water-sports includes surfing, windsurfing, water-skiing and diving in the many coastal resorts. While spending some time at the coast, try to arrange a dhow trip with one of the local fisherman for a pleasant cruise along the palm tree-lined beaches. The South Coast, with resorts like Tiwi, Shimoni and Diani Beach is protected by a rainbow-coloured coral reef and popular amongst tourists. Mount Kenya rises to just under 5200 meters and attracts numerous hikers and climbers from around the world. The climb passes through a variety of beautiful landscapes and provides breathtaking scenery to visitors. The highest peak, Batian (5199m) require extreme technical and sophisticated climbing skills and equipment as does Nelion (5188m), but Point Lenana at just under 5000 meters can be reached without any mountaineering skills. Contact the Mountain Club of Kenya in Nairobi (Tel: +254 2 501747) for more detail.

Cities & Towns

Nairobi
The modern capital of Kenya is only 145 kilometres away from the equator. Due to its increasing crime rate, extreme care should be taken when visiting the city. The streets are lined with trees, and flowers are found in abundance. Places to visit include the National Museum with an amazing collection of ethnographic exhibits, Karin Blixon's (from the "Out of Africa" fame) farm just outside Nairobi, the Animal Orphanage at the entrance of the Nairobi National Park, the first proclaimed Kenyan national park. The Snake Park, opposite the National Museum, has a collection of indigenous East African snakes and is situated next to a collection of traditional tribal mud huts. Watch traditional dancing in the Bomas of Kenya just outside the city centre, before visiting numerous markets to stock up on beautiful handmade curious.

Mombasa
A strange mixture of cultures intertwined with different religions and a rich history as the second oldest trade centre with Arabia and the Far East, make Mombasa a worthwhile city to visit. Today it still plays an important role as the main port for Kenya. It lacks the beautiful beaches of the north and south but not the amount of pestering salesmen who do not know the meaning of the word 'no'. Places to visit is the Old Town with its Arab influence, narrow streets lined with tiny shops and suqs (markets), watching a fascinating array of traditions and maybe see a belly dancer performing her rhythmic enticing talents in one of the numerous cafes. The Old Harbour, frequented by numerous dhows, is an ideal place to arrange a short cruise on one of these local boats that plied the oceans for centuries. Fort Jesus built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century, is now a museum and worth a visit. The nearby Ivory Room was used to display elephant tusks confiscated from poachers, but is now closed to visitors. Contact the Tourist Office in Moi Avenue for additional information on Mombasa. They are open from 08h00 to 16h30 during weekdays (closed for lunch between 12h00 and 14h00) and 08h00 to 12h00 on Saturdays.

Lamu
Lamu is one of the most beautiful towns in Kenya, 260 kilometres north of Mombasa and it has some fantastic beaches. There are no motorised vehicles (excluding the District Commissioner's off course), while the donkey and handcarts drawn along the narrow streets add to the rustic atmosphere. It is a town captured in a bygone era and the Islam religion is still adhered to. Men are seen in full-length white robes and kofia caps and women are covered mostly in black. There are many old mosques (not all will allow Westerners) and Arab houses with beautiful decorated wooden doors. There are plenty attractions including the Hindu Temple in Mwagogo Road, 14th century ruins on the islands of Pate and Manda.

Malindi
The coastal town 120 kilometres north of Mombasa has two nearby parks, Malindi and Watamu. These are marine parks, which means that one can watch fish and corals from a glass bottom boat or snorkel, but the collection or destruction of shells is strictly forbidden. It also offers deep-sea fishing and other water sports. This town with its narrow streets, beautiful houses and colonial hotels, is certainly worth a visit.

National Parks

Welcome to Game Park Paradise! One-tenth of all land in Kenya is designated as national parkland and there are more than 40 reserves distributed all around the country - from the arid dry northern lowland to the green plateau, the visitor will be stunned by the array of game and scenic landscapes. Most of the parks have excellent facilities and numerous tour operators ply the roads between parks to satisfy customers' wishes to see as much as possible of the teeming wildlife on offer. It is also possible to visit the parks with own transport, which can either be private or rented from numerous car rental companies in Mombasa and Nairobi. Due to the amount of parks it is always possible to miss the hordes of tourists (even if you are one too) by going to the lesser-known parks. The choice of season is also critical if you want to have that lion sighting all by yourself. What follows are a few of the wonderful parks and you are encouraged to visit the Kenyan Tourism Board for information on other parks.

Masai Mara
It is totally understandable why nearly every visitor to Kenya travels to this park covering some 2000 km2 of land and an abundance of game. The main attraction is the annual migration of huge herds of wildebeest, often more than 1 million head, and zebra from the Tanzanian Serengeti Plains. The herds have to cross the treacherous Mara River, and many do not survive the onslaught of hungry crocodiles and lions waiting in ambush. The wildebeest start their migration in May and arrive in Masai Mara during July before returning to the south towards October following the rains and green grass. This natural phenomenon is enhanced with a hot-air balloon flight to watch the spectacle from an elevated height before returning to Mother Earth and a champagne breakfast in the middle of the African bush. Advanced booking for accommodation in the park should be made for this exciting occurrence. Species in this park situated on the Tanzanian border to the west of Nairobi include various antelope and gazelle, lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and giraffe and bird-life is prolific.

Amboseli
Watching huge herds of elephants grazing against the backdrop of the highest single standing mountain in the world Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895 meters) is truly one of Africa's most sought-after views. The majority of game can be found around the swamps and savannah in the centre of the park. The park boasts with more than 400 bird species, buffalo, lion, cheetah and many other antelope species.

Tsavo National Park
Covering more than 21 000 square kilometres of land, it is by far the biggest park in Kenya although parts are closed to the general public. The park is divided into Tsavo West and the bigger Tsavo East. The terrain is dotted with huge baobab trees and tall anthills in the red sand arid landscape. There are still big elephant herds even though many died during the 1970's due to overpopulation and subsequent lack of food resources. There are some ultra luxurious accommodation with awesome views over the surrounding plains and valleys. Other species include lion, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and some rhino and buffalo. The Mzima Springs are well-known for its hippo and colourful butterflies.

Samburu Game Park
Slightly off the beaten track between Nairobi and Lake Turkana, this park in the semi-desert landscape of the northern lowlands, is home to some attractive and scarce antelope including oryx, gerenuk (the antelope with the giraffe neck), Grevy's zebra (thin black and white stripes) and reticulated giraffe. There are also leopard and elephant in the park. The fact that the two lodges in this park hang out bait to attract leopard for easy-viewing for guests sitting around the bar, can be debated though.

Lakes

Not only is Kenya blessed with game parks, but also huge lakes often covered in massive swarms of flamingos.

Lake Nakuru
This shallow, alkaline lake some 230 kilometres north-west of Nairobi, is the ideal feeding site for literally millions of flamingos colouring the lake pink when viewed from afar. Not only can more than 400 bird species be observed here, it also gives sanctuary to the endangered black rhino and other game including various antelope and leopard. The extinct Menengai volcano crater is not far away.

Lake Turkana (Formerly Lake Rudolph)
Those that venture so far north will be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of this lake (also called the Jade Sea due to its remarkable colour) surrounded by surrealistic desert landscape totally empty of any life and dancing in the hot afternoon mirage images. It is known for the world's largest fresh water fish, Nile Perch, weighing sometimes more than 150 kilograms and other unique marine life. Some lodges have been erected on its shores to cater for the expected increase of foreign fishermen and visitors. Crocodiles growing to extraordinary proportions inhabit the southern part of the lake. Many animals live in the neighbourhood of the lake, increasing its popularity. The tiny people of the El Molo tribe still continue today with their age-old traditions, fishing in the eastern waters.

Lake Naivasha
Only 80 kilometres north-west of Nairobi, it is often visited due to its abundance of bird-life and activities like hiking and rock climbing. The waters teem with hippo, bird and fish. One can join a boat trip from the Lake Naivasha Hotel to the Crescent Island in the lake for a completely different view.

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